Going back to school - get your teen on the right track in the new academic year

Aug 11, 2024
3 min read

Updated: Jul 22

The year is spinning on, and it’s time to check whether your teen has everything they need to start the new academic year on the right foot. That includes how they feel, what they’ll wear, any equipment they may need and, perhaps most important of all, a positive mindset.

Fitting in

As your little one starts to match (or overtake) your own height, all these growth spurts can turn out to be a costly business. Inevitably they’ll need new uniform items that fit, including shoes and trainers, as well as shirts, skirts, trousers, jumpers and blazers. Some schools offer pre-loved items much cheaper if you can’t buy the uniform in mainstream shops.

Being well prepared

Whether they’re at GCSE stage or sixth form, and despite so much being online, they’ll still need some old-fashioned stationery. They should already have quite a bit from last year, but a refresh is a good idea. You may also want to check they have everything they need for any new subjects, especially those needing specialist equipment such as maths, art or design. They also need to stay organised, so folders and files are essential. It’s exciting to begin the new year with fresh notebooks and pens, and this could motivate them to feel more positive about heading back. We’ve included a checklist on our website, or take a look at the complete school stationery bundle.

Don’t forget practical items like a sturdy waterproof backpack and an insulated lunch bag, if they take a packed lunch. And does their laptop have enough capacity for them to do their work?

Complying with school rules

The holidays are a time when teens enjoy their independence, wearing what they want and styling their hair how they like. However, some schools have rules about hair, so it might be time to book a haircut. They’ll need to comply with any rules, and these may even apply to non-uniform sixth forms.

Re-establishing a routine

Starting the school year well includes feeling fresh and ready for the challenges ahead. If the holidays have knocked them out of a regular bedtime and getting-up routine, now is the time to get back into good habits, with early to bed and early to rise. If they’ve spent a lot of time indoors over the summer and increased their screen time watching TV, especially during the day, they should start to cut down. Introduce changes gradually over the next couple of weeks to avoid the shock of a big, sudden change on the first day of term.

Thinking positively

A positive mindset can be helped by making sure their bedroom is tidy and organised. The end of the holidays is a great time for a good sort-out: cleaning their room, putting things away, throwing out what they don’t need, and making sure they have an appropriate space to study. A wardrobe overhaul could also be timely, donating clothes that don’t fit or recycling those that have worn out, so that whenever they open their wardrobe it’s uncluttered and filled with things they want to wear.

A note for you

As a parent, you’ll also want to be well prepared for the year ahead, so read any school information, put important dates in your calendar, and make sure emergency contact numbers are easily available.

There’s lots more you can do at home to help your teen get the best out of their GCSE or sixth form years, so take a look at our specialist guides, The Parents' Guide to Homelife and Study - GCSEs and The Parents' Guide to Homelife and Study - sixth form.